Venice: St Marks Basilica, Doges Palace, and Gondola Ride

Venice is a city like no other, rich in history, culture, and architectural wonders. Its iconic landmarks, the St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace, captivate visitors with their mesmerizing beauty. Combine this with a serene gondola ride through the city’s picturesque canals, and you have an experience that will leave a lasting impression. Discover the magic of Venice and uncover the secrets that lie within its charming streets.

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Key Points

This 3-hour tour showcases iconic landmarks in Venice, including Doges Palace, St Mark’s Basilica, and a 30-minute shared gondola ride.
Visitors can explore the lavish interiors of Doges Palace, learn about its history, and admire the ornate Bridge of Sighs.
St Mark’s Basilica is renowned for its stunning golden mosaics, creating a reverent and awe-inspiring atmosphere.
The guided gondola ride offers serene and intimate views of Venice’s picturesque canals and bridges.
The tour is available in multiple languages, with skip-the-line access to Doges Palace, and cancellations are free up to 24 hours in advance.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview

The "Venice: St Marks Basilica, Doges Palace, and Gondola Ride" tour offers a comprehensive 3-hour experience that showcases the city’s iconic landmarks and hidden gems.

Priced from £117.78 per person, the tour includes skip-the-line access to Doges Palace, a 30-minute shared gondola ride, and guided commentary via personal audio system.

Cancellations are free up to 24 hours in advance. The tour is available in French, Spanish, and English, though it’s not suitable for wheelchair users, pets, or oversized luggage.

Meeting points vary based on booking option, and pickup/drop-off service isn’t provided.

Looking for more options in Venice? We've reviewed plenty of other experiences.

Exploring Doges Palace

Doges Palace stands as a symbol of Venice’s rich history and past power. As the former residence of the Venetian ruler and seat of the Republic’s government, the palace exudes grandeur and opulence.

Visitors can explore the Bridge of Sighs, which once connected the palace to the nearby prison, and imagine the captives’ lamentations as they crossed over.

Visitors can imagine the captives’ lamentations as they crossed over the Bridge of Sighs, connecting the palace to the nearby prison.

The palace’s lavish interiors, adorned with ornate frescoes and gilded ceilings, offer a glimpse into the extravagant lifestyle of the Venetian elite.

A guided tour allows travelers to explore the palace’s fascinating past and uncover the stories that shaped the city’s legacy.

Discovering the Bridge of Sighs

One of the most iconic architectural features of the Doges Palace is the Bridge of Sighs, which has long captivated the imagination of visitors to Venice.

This enclosed stone bridge connects the palace to the adjacent prison, its name derived from the belief that condemned prisoners would sigh with despair as they crossed it, taking their last look at the lagoon and the city.

Today, visitors can admire the bridge’s ornate baroque designs and understand its historical significance as they explore the Doges Palace complex and gain insight into Venice’s rich past.

Marveling at the Golden Mosaics of St Marks Basilica

Although often overshadowed by the splendor of the Doges Palace, St. Marks Basilica is a dazzling masterpiece of Byzantine architecture.

Its walls and ceilings are covered in stunning golden mosaics that depict biblical scenes and figures. Visitors are awed by the sheer scale and intricate detail of these mosaic works, which were created over the course of several centuries.

The basilica’s interior is bathed in a warm, ethereal light, creating an atmosphere of reverence and wonder.

The basilica’s interior is bathed in a warm, ethereal light, creating an atmosphere of reverence and wonder.

Marveling at these exquisite mosaics is a highlight of any visit to Venice, offering a glimpse into the city’s rich religious and artistic heritage.

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Gliding Through the Canals in a Gondola

A quintessential Venetian experience, the gondola ride allows visitors to glide effortlessly along the city’s iconic canals.

Steered by a skilled gondolier, the shared gondola ride offers a serene and intimate view of Venice’s hidden waterways. Passengers can admire the picturesque bridges, palaces, and alleyways lining the canals.

The 30-minute journey provides a relaxing respite from the crowds, offering a unique perspective of the city. While the gondola ride is a highlight of the tour, visitors should be prepared to share the intimate experience with others.

Nonetheless, it remains an enchanting and memorable part of the Venice exploration.

There's plenty more to explore in Venice

Experiencing Hidden Venice

While the iconic gondola ride along the Grand Canal is a quintessential Venetian experience, the tour also offers an opportunity to explore Venice’s hidden gems away from the crowds. Beyond the main tourist sites, the tour takes visitors through quieter neighborhoods and lesser-known canals, providing a glimpse into the city’s authentic local life. Travelers can discover picturesque alleyways, quaint bridges, and charming local shops, away from the hustle and bustle of the popular landmarks.

| Hidden Gems | Highlights |

| — | — |

| Quieter neighborhoods | Picturesque alleyways |

| Lesser-known canals | Quaint bridges |

| | Charming local shops |

Included Features and Inclusions

The tour includes a guided visit to the iconic Doges Palace, allowing visitors to skip the lines and explore this historic seat of power.

Guided visit to the iconic Doges Palace, allowing visitors to skip the lines and explore this historic seat of power.

A 30-minute shared gondola ride steered by a local gondolier is also included, offering a quintessential Venetian experience along the Grand Canal and minor waterways.

Personal audio systems and headsets ensure visitors can hear the guide’s insightful commentary throughout the tour.

While hotel pick-up and drop-off are provided, food and drinks aren’t included.

Visitors are encouraged to bring their passport or ID card, particularly for children, for a seamless experience.

Customer Feedback and Important Information

What do customers have to say about this tour? Based on 18 reviews, the Venice tour earns a solid 3.9/5 overall rating. Customers praise the knowledgeable and passionate guides, noting how they enhance the experience.

| Important Information | |

|———————|—|

| What to Bring | Passport or ID card for children |

| Booking Flexibility | Reserve now & pay later option available |

| Customer Feedback | Reviewers highlighted the guides’ expertise, professionalism, and recommendations for further exploration. |

Flexibility in booking and informative guides make this a worthwhile experience for visitors to Venice.

The Sum Up

This guided tour offers an immersive experience in Venice’s iconic landmarks. Admire the stunning St. Mark’s Basilica, explore the historic Doges Palace, and glide through the picturesque canals in a gondola. Uncover the city’s rich cultural heritage and artistic legacy, making for an unforgettable journey. With its included features, this tour promises to captivate and delight visitors seeking to discover the enchanting beauty of Venice.